Costa Mesa restricts home cannabis cultivation to indoor-only growing for personal use by residents aged 21 and older, consistent with state Proposition 64 limits. Outdoor cultivation is prohibited in all zone districts. Commercial cultivation of any kind is banned from residential properties.
Under Costa Mesa Municipal Code Chapter 13-200.87 and related cannabis ordinances, cannabis cultivation may only be conducted indoors and only for personal use in a private residence occupied exclusively by natural persons aged 21 or older. Per California state law (Proposition 64), adults 21 and over may grow up to six plants per household for personal use. Costa Mesa prohibits all outdoor cannabis cultivation in every zone district. The plants must not be visible from public areas or neighboring properties. Cultivation areas must be secured to prevent access by minors. Costa Mesa has adopted Ordinance No. 2024-03 (Planning, Zoning, and Development) and Ordinance No. 2024-04 (Licenses and Business Regulations) governing cannabis operations. Commercial cultivation by any person, including primary caregivers, qualified patients, and dispensaries, is prohibited in all zone districts within the city. Indoor personal cultivation must comply with all applicable building, electrical, and fire codes. Growing operations must not create odor, noise, or other nuisances detectable from outside the residence.
Outdoor cultivation or commercial growing operations are subject to code enforcement action, administrative citations, and fines. Violations are handled by Costa Mesa Code Enforcement at (714) 754-5623. Repeat violations may result in escalating penalties.
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